Why Are Family Visits To Nursing Homes Still Cut Off Weeks After Vaccination?
Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called on the Minister to clarify why visitation to nursing homes is still cut off, especially when nursing homes are supposed to have been fully vaccinated.
An Teachta Tóibín:
“Over 1,500 of deaths from Covid-19 have occurred in Irish nursing homes. In January 2021, 23% of those deaths occurred with 181 outbreaks. The roll-out of the Vaccine in nursing homes was so slow that vaccinations continued up till the last week of February, contrary to the promises of Stephen Donnelly. It is completely understandable that visits were restricted at this time."
"However now thousands of residents have had their vaccination. Many families I have spoken to have not seen their loved ones in over a year. To even secure a window visit is an increasingly difficult challenge. One woman I spoke to only gets to see her mother for a few seconds a week when she drops up a newspaper or a few bits of shopping."
"This is inexplicable, why – if the nursing home population is fully vaccinated – does access continue to be cut off? Understandably, there is a period after vaccine administration before the full effects have set in, but no prospective date for visits is even being given despite some Nursing Homes being complete for well over a month. Nursing Homes I have spoken to have said they are waiting on instruction, and won’t allow visits for fears of liability.”
“Funeral services have been restricted to 10 mourners. Religious services banned. Household visits banned outside your bubble. Visits to loved ones in nursing homes a distant memory. The government needs to step in and alleviate the pain and cruelty of restrictions – especially as vaccines continue to be administered.”
